Corrugated carton



NOV- 14, 1957 M. J. CENTANNI 3,352,475

CORRUGATED CARTON I 3 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Nov. 19, 1965 INVENTOR MICHAEL J. CENTANNI Nov. 14, 19.67

Filed NOV. 19,' 19675 BGA ' J. CENTANNI GORRUGATED CARTON 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 www' ww MICHAEL J, CENTANNI /ML @www ATTORNEYS Nov. 14, 1967 M. J. CENTANNI 3,352,475

CORRUGATED CARTON Filed Nov. 19, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 3 INVENT'OR I24 MICHAEL J. CENTANNI ,om /m @im ATTORNEY-S United States Patent O 3,352,475 CORRUGATED CARTON Michael .1. Centanni, New Orleans, La., assignor to Continenta Can Company, Inc., New York, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed Nov. 19, 1965, Ser. No. 508,658 7 Claims. (Cl. 229-34) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A carton defined by pairs of upstanding side and end walls, the latter of which include interior and exterior end panels each having respective inner and outer reinforcing panels so constructed as to permit the side walls to be sandwiched between the inner and outer reinforcing panels thereby forming reinforced corners composed of at least two plies of material at the end walls and three plies of material at the side walls thereof. A housing is defined between interior and exterior end panel portions into which is received a locking tab of an associated cover, and the exterior end panels and their associated exterior reinforcing panels are provided with tear strips for facilitating the opening of the carton.

This invention relates to a novel carton constructed from corrugated paperstock material, and is particularly directed to a novel carton structure which includes multiply reinforcement of carton corners and novel means for interlockingly securing a cover to the carton.

A primary object of this invention is to provide a novel carton which includes a carton body defined by upstanding pairs of side and end walls, each of the end walls including interior and exterior end panels folded into overlying relationship to each other, inner and outer reinforcing panels joined to each of the interior and exterior panel portions, and the side walls being sandwiched between the inner and outer reinforcing panels thereby defining a plurality of reinforced carton corners composed of at least two plies of material at the end Walls and three plies of material at the side Walls thereof.

A further object of this invention is to provide a novel carton of the type described including a cover closing the carton body, the cover including a body defined by ya plurality of depending panels externally surrounding an upper portion of the carton body, a pair of slots in at least one of the depending panels defining a locking tab thereof, and an opening in one of the carton body walls interlockingly receiving the locking tab whereby the cover is securely attached to the carton body.

A further object of this invention is to provide a novel carton of the type described immediately above in which the carton is constructed from corrugated paperstock material which is selectively scored, notched and provided with fold lines to facilitate the erection of the carton from a planar blank in a rapid and efficient manner and at relatively low cost.

With the above, and other objects in View that will hereinafter appear, the nature of the invention Will be more clearly understood by reference to the following detailed description, the appended claims and the several views illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a top perspective View of a novel carton constructed in accordance with this invention, and illustrates a cover closing the carton and interlockingly secured thereto.

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged sectional View taken generally along line 2 2 of FIGURE 1, and illustrates multiply corners serving to reinforce the carton.

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken gener- 3,352,475 Patented Nov. 14, 1967 ICC ally along line 3-3 of FIGURE l, and illustrates interior and exterior end panels of the carton and means interlockingly securing the cover to the carton.

FIGURE 4 is a top plan view of a carton blank from which the carton of FIGURES 1 through 3 is constructed, and illustrates a plurality of end panels and reinforcing panels at opposite longitudinal end portions of the blank which are foldable to form the reinforced corners of FIG- URE 2.

FIGURE 5 is a top perspective view-of the blank of FIGURE 4, and illustrates the folding of the blank to form the carton of FIGURES 1 through 3,

FIGURE 6 is a top plan view of a blank which is foldable to form the cover of FIGURE 1, and illustrates a pair of notches defining an interlocking tab in each of a pair of end panels of the bl-ank.

A novel carton constructed in accordance with this invention is best illustrated in FIGURES 1 through 3 of the drawings and is generally referred to by the reference numeral 10. The carton 10 is constructed from a generally rectangular blank of corrugated paperstock material, and is generally referred to by the reference numeral 11 (FIG- URE 4).

The blank 11 (FIGURE 4) includes a bottom wall or panel 12 defined by a pair of longitudinal fold lines 13, 14 and a pair of transverse fold lines 15, 16. A first pair of walls 17, 18 which form the side walls of the carton 10 are joined to the bottom panel 12 along the first pair of fold lines 13, 14 respectively.

A second pair of walls, generally referred to by the reference numerals 20 and 21 are joined to the bottom panel ,12 along the respective second pair of fold lines 15, 16. The second pair of walls 20, 21 form end walls of the carton 10, as will be apparent more fully hereafter.

The end Wall 20 includes a generally rectangular exterior end panel 22 and a generally rectangular interior end panel 23. The interior end panel 22 is defined by the fold line 15, a third pair of longitudinal fold lines 24, 25 Vand a transverse fold line 26 spaced from and parallel to the fold line 15. The interior end panel 23 is defined by the fold line 26, a fourth pair of fol-d lines 27, 28 and a transverse edge 30. The end panel 23 is also scored on the exterior surface thereof along lines 31, 32 which are Ico-terminus with and underlie the fold llines 27, 28 respectively.

An additional fold line 33 in parallel spaced relationship to the fold line 26 is formed in the end panel 22 and defines a narrow bridge or connecting portion 34 between the end panels 22 and 23. An opening 35 is formed centrally of the end panel 22 adjacent the fold line 33.

The end wall 21 opposite the end wall 20 is substantially identical to the latter and includes an interior end panel 42 and an exterior end panel 43. The end panel 42 is defined by the fold line 16, a pair of lingitudinal fold lines 44, 45 and a transverse fold line 46 in spaced parallel relationship to the fold line 16.

The interior end panel 43 is defined by a fold line 46, a pair of fold lines 47, 48 and a transverse edge 50. Score lines 51, 52 corresponding to the score lines 31, 32 of the end panel 23 underlie and are coterminus with the fold lines 47, 48 of the interior end panel 43.

An additional fold line 53 is formed in the exterior end panel 42 in spaced parallel relationship to the fold line 46 and defines therewith a narrow bridge or connecting portion 54 between the panels 42 and 43. An opening 55 is also formed in the exterior end panel 42 substantially centrally thereof and adjacent the fold line 53.

A first pair of reinforcing panels 57, 58 are joined to the end panel 22 along the fold lines 24 and 25 respectively. The reinforcing panels 57, 58 form outer reinforcing panels of the carton 10, as will be apparent more fully hereafter.

A'second pair of reinforcing panels 60, 61 are joined to the interior end panel 23 along the fold lines 27, 28 and the partial score lines 31, 32 respectively. The reinforcing panels 60, 61 form interior reinforcing panels ofthe carton as will also appear more fully hereafter.

The reinforcing panels 57, 60 are set off from each other by a pair of score lines 62, 63 which converge from the bridging portion 34 toward a common longitudinal edge'64 of the panels 57, 60. The score lines 62, 63 define a bridging or connecting portion 65. A similar pair of fold lines 66, 67 converge toward a common edge 68 of the reinforcing panels 58, 61 and define therebetween a bridging or connecting portion 70.

A tear strip or tear tape 71 is secured to the panels 57, 22 and 58 between the opening 35 and the fold line 33. The tear tape 71 functions to facilitate the opening of the exterior panels 57, 22, and 58 in a well known manner.

A pair of reinforcing panels 77, 78 are joined to the endV panel 42 along the respective fold lines 44, 45. The reinforcing panels 77, 78 form outer reinforcing panels of the carton 10, as will appear more fully hereafter.

A second pair of reinforcing panels 80, 81 are joined to the panel 43 along the respective fold lines 47, 48 and the partial score lines 51, 52. The reinforcing panels 80, 81 form inner reinforcing panels of the carton 10 as will also appear more fully hereafter.

The panels 77, 80 are set off from one another by score lines 82,'83 converging from the bridging portion 54 toward a common edge 84 of the panels 77, 80. The score lines 82, 83 set off a bridging or connecting portion 85 between the reinforcing panels 77, 80.

A similar pair of converging score lines 86, 87 converge from the bridging portion 54 toward a common edge 88 ofthe reinforcing panels 78, 81 and define therebetween'a bridging or connecting portion 90, corresponding generally to the bridging portion 70 between the reinforcing panels 58,61.

A tear tape or tear strip 91 corresponding to the tear strip 71,'is secured across the'panels 77, 42 and 78 between Ithe opening 55 and the fold line 53. The tear strip '91 functions in an identical manner to the tear strip 71.

The blank 11 of FIGURE 4 is formed into the carton 10 of FIGURES l through 3 in a manner clearly illustra'ted in FIGURE 5 of the drawings lto which attention is now directed.

In forming the carton 10, the side walls 17, 18 ofthe blank 11 are folded upwardly along the respective fold lines 13, 14 while the end walls 20, 21 are similarly folded upwardly along the respective fold lines 15, 16 to define a generally rectangular volume. Thereafter the interior end panels 23, 43 are folded about the respective fold lines 26, 33 and 46, 53 to bring the end panels 22, 23 and 42, 43 into overlying spaced relationship as is best shown with respect to the end panels 42, 43 in FIGURE 5. During this same folding of the panels 22, 23, 42 and 43, the reinforcing flaps 57, 58, 60, 61, 77, 78, 80 and 81 are also folded to sandwich the associated side walls 17, 18. For example, the reinforcing flaps 58, 61 are folded along the fold lines 25 and 28 and the fold lines 66, 67 to bring the bridging portion 70 in overlying relationship to an upper edge (unnumbered) of the side wall 17. This positions the reinforcing flap 58 eXteriorly `of the wall 17 and the reinforcing ap 61 'interiorly of the wall 17. The remaining .flaps are similarly folded `to position the reinforcing aps 57, 78 and 77 eXteriorly of the associated side walls 17, 18 and the reinforcing flaps Y60, 80 and 81 interiorly of the same side walls.

The relationship of the reinforcing panels 57, 58, 60, 61, 77, 78, 80 and 81 relatively to the side walls 17, 18 is best illustrated in FIGURES 2 and 3 ofthe drawings. In the set-up form of the carton 10 illustrated in FIGURE 2 the various panels and flaps form four corners, generally` referred to bythe reference numerals 95 through 97.

The corner 97 of the carton 10 is a multi-ply structure formed of two plies at one side defined by the end panels 22, 23 and three plies at an opposite side defined by the reinforcing iiaps 57, 60 and the side wall 18. The corner 96 is similarly defined by the end panels 22, 23 and theV reinforcing panels l61, 58 sandwiching therebetween a portion of the side wall 17. The corner 97 is also of a composite two-three ply-construction defined by the end panels 42, 43 and a portion of the side wall 17 sandwiched between the reinforcing flaps 78, 81. The fourth and last corner 98 is similarly of a composite multi-ply construction defined by the end panels 42, 43 and a portion of the side wall 18 sandwiched between the reinforcing flaps 77, 80.

As is also best illustrated in FIGURE 2 of the drawings, the folding of the panels 23, 43 and the reinforcing aps 60, 61, and 81 to the interior of the carton is 'facilitated by the scores 31, 32, 51 and 52 which occupy a position interiorly of the ycarton 10. Since the carton 10 is preferably constructed of corrugated paperstock material which generally includes a corrugated inner portion 'and Aouter liners, the scoring of the one liner (unnumbered) along the score lines 31, 32, 51 and 52 facilitates the folding thereof in the manner clearly illustrated in FIGURE 2 of the drawings.

In FIGURE 3 of the drawings the bridging portions 34, 54 between the panels 22, 23 and 42, 43 yare also clearly illustrated. rlhe bridging panels 34, 54 maintain the respectivepanels 22, 23 and 42, 43 in generally spaced relationship to define therebetween respective chambers, generally referred to by the reference numerals 100, 101. The chambers 100, 101 receive interlocking rtabs of a cover, generally referred to by the reference numeral 105 which is constructed of a sheet or blank 110 (FIG- URE 6) of corrugated Vpaperstock material.

The cover blank (FIGURE 6) is al generally rectangular sheet material member having a top panel 111 defined by a first pair of spaced parallel fold lines 112, 113 and a second pair of lspaced parallel fold lines 114, 115. A side panel 116 is joined to the top panel 111 along the fold line 112, and is defined by the fold line 113, la pair of fold vlines 117, 118 and an edge 120.

A similar side panel 121 `is joined to the top panel 111 along `the fold line `113, and lis defined by the latter fold line, .a pair of fold lines 122,123 and an edge 124.

A- pairof side panel flaps 125 through 128 are joined to the associated end panels along the fold lines 117, 118, 122 and 123 respectively.

VAn end panel is joined tothe top panel 111 along the fold line 114 while a similar'end panel 1'31 is joined toy the top panel 111 along the fold line 115. Slots 132, 133 separate the end'panel'130 from the side panel iiaps 125, 127 respectively while similar slots 134, 135 separatethe endpanel -131 from the side panel flaps 126, 128.

The Vend panel-130 is ydefined by the fold line 114, edges `(unnumbered) ofthe slots 132, 133 and an edge 136. The panel 130 is provided with apair of slots 137, 138 defining'therebetween vva locking or interlocking tab 140. Three score lines, generally referredto by the reference numeral-141,- are 'formed in one exterior surface of the interlocking tab Y140 yin rparallel spaced relationship to each other and "to the fold line 114.

The end panel `131 is ysimilarly 'defined by the fold line 115, edges (unnumbered) defining theslots 134, 135 and an edge 142. The panel 131 is similarly provided with a Vpair of lslots or notches 143, 14'4 'which set off a lockingA or interlocking tab 145. The tab includes a plurality of lpartial scorelines, generally referred to by the reference numeral 146 which are in parallel relationship to each other and to the fold line-115.

The blank 110 is formed into the cover 105 by adhesively or otherwise securing the panel 131 into overlying exterior relationship to the aps 126, 128 Yand the end panel 130 into exterior overlying relationship to the aps 125, 127. Due to the relative heavy construction of the blank 110 the notches 132-135 permit the folding of the flaps 125 through 128 along the respective fold lines 117, 118, 122 and 123 to form rigid and esthetically appearing corners, as is best illustrated in FIGURE 1 of the drawings.

After the cover is positioned upon the carton in the manner best illustrated in FIGURES 1 and 3 of the drawings, the interlocking tabs 146, 145 are folded about the respective fold lines 141, 146 and inserted into the respective chambers 101, i) (FIGURE 3) to the respective openings 55, 35 in the exterior end panels 42, 22 of the carton 10. 'I'he tabs 140, 145 project slightly upwardly beyond the uppermost edge (unnumbered) of the respective openings 55, 35 (FIGURE 3) and :are confined in this position by the resilience of the walls 42, 43 and 23, 22 respectively.

Due to the reinforced construction of the carton corners 95 through 98 and the interlocking of the cover 105 to the carton 1t), the latter is extremely strong and can be subjected to rigorous storage and shipping conditions. The carton 10 is particularly designed for shipping fresh poultry and successfully meets the severe atmospheric and handling conditions to which such contents are subjected. The carton 10 is particularly used to ship approximately 80-9() pounds of product consisting of approximately 67 pounds of poultry and 20 pounds of ice, and has done so successfully.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that novel and advantageous provisions have been made for carrying out the desired end. However, attention is again directed to the fact that -additional variations may be made in this invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A carton blank comprising a sheet material body, said body including a generally polygonally shaped bottom panel defined by a plurality of fold lines, a first pair of walls joined to said bottom panel along a rst pair of said plurality of fold lines, a second pair of walls joined to said bottom panel along a second pair of said plurality of fold lines, each of said second pair of walls including a pair of end panels foldable into overlying relationship to each other along a first fold line in generally spaced parallel relationship to one of said second pair of vfold lines, a first pair of reinforcing panels joined to each of said first end panels along a third pair of Ifold lines, a second pair of reinforcing panels joined to each of said second end panels along a fourth pair of fold lines, said reinforcing panels being foldable along said third and fourth pairs of fold lines into overlying relationship with opposite surfaces off said side walls and a tear strip disposed adjacent and generally parallel to said first fold line in at least one of said lfirst end panels and its associated reinforcing panels.

2. The carton blank as dened in claim y1 wherein adjacent ones of said first and second rein-forcing panels are joined to each other along associated weakening lines, and said sheet material body is corrugated board and said weakening lines are formed only in one surface off said 'corrugated board.

3. A carton comprising a carton body, said body including a -generally polygonally shaped bottom panel, a first pair of spaced upstanding walls joined to said bottom panel, a second pair of spaced walls joined to said bottom panel, said second pair of walls including end panels disposed generally normal to said first pair of walls, said end panels each including interior and exterior panel portions folded into overlying relationship to each other along a fold line remote Ifrom said bottom panel, inner and outer reinforcing panels joined to each of said interior and exterior panel portions respectively at opposite ends thereof, said yfirst pair of upstanding walls being sandwiched between said inner and outer reinforcing panels thereby defining a plurality of cartonpcoruers orf composite two and three ply construction, and a tear strip disposed adjacent and ,generally parallel to said fold line remote from said bottom panel in at least one of said exterior panel portions and the outer reinforcing panels thereof.

4. A `carton compri-sing a carton body, said body including a generally polygonally shaped bottom panel, a first pair of spaced upstanding walls joined to said bottom panel, a second pair of spaced walls joined to said bottom panel, said second pair of walls including end panels disposed generally normal to said first pair of walls, said end panels each including interior and exterior panel portions folded into overlying relationship to each other along a fold line remote from said bottom panel, inner and outer reinforcing panels joined to each of said interior and exterior panel portions respectively at opposite ends thereof, said first pair of upstanding walls being sandwiched between said inner and outer reinforcing panels thereby defining a plurality of carton corners of composite two and three ply construction, a cover closing said carton body, said cover including a body defined by a plurality of depending panels externally telescopically surrounding an upper portion of said carton body, a pair of slots in one of said depending panels defining a locking tab therebetween, an opening in at least one of said exterior panel portions, a chamber defined by said interior and exterior panel portions adjacent said opening, and said locking tab being interlockingly received in said chamber between said interior and exterior panel portions whereby said cover is securely attached to said carton body.

v5. rIihe carton as defined in claim 3 lwherein relief notches are formed between each interior panel portion and its associated inner reinforcing panel.

6. The carton as defined in claim 3 wherein said reinforcing panels are joined to each other along a pair of spaced weakening lines on the interior surfaces thereof.

7. The carton as defined in claim 4 including a tear strip disposed adjacent and generally parallel to said fold line in each of said exterior panel portions and the outer reinforcing panels thereof.

References Cited UNITED sTATEs PATENTS 380,748 4/1888 Elliott 229-34 2,196,502 4/1940 Kelis 229-34 X 2,395,363 2/1946 wiuiams 229-45 X 2,459,645 1/1949 Hensley 229-34 2,970,742 2/1961 Fleislg 229-45 3,118,591 1/1964 Allard 229-34 FOREIGN PATENTS 666,883 -7/1963 Canada.

JOSEPH R. LECLAIR, Primary Examiner.

DAVIS T. MOORHEAD, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A CARTON BLANK COMPRISING A SHEET MATERIAL BODY, SAID BODY INCLUDING A GENERALLY POLYGONALLY SHAPED BOTTOM PANEL DEFINED BY A PLURALITY OF FOLD LINES, A FIRST PAIR OF WALLS JOINED TO SAID BOTTOM PANEL ALONG A FIRST PAIR OF SAID PLURALITY OF FOLD LINES, A SECOND PAIR OF WALLS JOINED TO SAID BOTTOM PANEL ALONG A SECOND PAIR OF SAID PLURALITY OF FOLD LINES, EACH OF SAID SECOND PAIR OF WALLS INCLUDING A PAIR OF END PANELS FOLDABLE ITNO OVERLYING RELATIONSHIP TO EACH OTHER ALONG A FIRST FOLD LINE IN GENERALLY SPACED PARALLEL RELATIONSHIP TO ONE OD SAID SECOND PAIR OF FOLD LINES, A FIRST PAIR OF REINFORCING PANELS JOINED TO EACH OF SAID FIRST END PANELS ALONG A THIRD PAIR OF FOLD LINES, A SECOND PAIR OF REINFORCING PANELS JOINED TO EACH OF SAID SECOND END PANELS ALONG A FOURTH PAIR OF FOLD LINES, SAID REINFORCING PANELS BEING FOLDABLE ALONG SAID THIRD AND FOURTH PAIRS OF FOLD LINES INTO OVERLYING RELATIONSHIP WITH OPPOSITE SURFACES OF SAID SIDE WALLS AND A TEAR STRIP DISPOSED ADJACENT AND GENERALLY PARALLEL TO SAID FIRST FOLD LINE IN AT LEAST ONE OF SAID FIRST END PANELS AND ITS ASSOCIATED REINFORCING PANELS. 